Review - LDV D90

Affordable Chinese alternatives to recognised brands have, in recent years, come leaps and bounds when it comes to all-round quality, design and performance on the road, which leads us to today’s subject, the LDV D90 SUV. 

Billed as the most feature-packed and capable seven-seat SUVs for the money, the D90 is hoping to get Australian buyers to make the switch, but going up against the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Isuzu MU-X, Haval H9 and the Ford Everest, is no easy feat. 

With the value for money proposition firmly in mind, let’s find out whether or not you’ll be making any key sacrifices opting for the LDV D90 over its more established competitors. 

Starting Price: $36,990

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LDV D90 (2WD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check LDV D90 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The LDV D90 lineup kicks off from $36,990 for the entry-level Mode 2WD, with prices rising to $40,990 for the Executive 2WD, and up to $44,990 for the Executive 4WD. 

The range tops-out in the form of the Executive Diesel 4WD, which is priced at $49,990. 

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What Features Does the LDV D90 Have?

LDV’s entry-level D90 comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, and receives a set of LED headlights, automatic wipers, rear-view camera, front and rear-mounted parking sensors, keyless entry & start, a seven-seat layout, side steps, dual-zone climate control, heated side mirrors, adaptive cruise control, a 12-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay paired with a six-speaker sound system, tyre pressure monitoring, an electronic parking brake and a set of fog lights. 

Moving to the D90 Executive adds a set of 19-inch alloys and electronic locking differential for petrol-powered 4WD variants, as well as a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, powered boot lift, ambient lighting package, 8.0-inch driver’s display, power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle-shifters on diesel variants, upgraded eight-speaker sound system and puddle lamps. 

Range Features: 

• 18-inch alloys 

• LED headlights 

• Seven seat configuration 

• Rear-view camera 

• Front and rear-mounted parking sensors 

• Keyless entry & start 

• Dual-zone climate control 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• 12-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay 

• Six-speaker sound system 

• Side steps 

• Heated side mirrors 

• Electronic parking brake

• 19-inch alloys (Executive)

• Leather upholstery (Executive)

• Powered boot lift (Executive)

• Ambient lighting (Executive)

• 8.0-inch driver’s display (Executive)

• Power-adjustable driver’s seat (Executive)

• Eight speaker sound system (Executive)

• Electronic locking differential (Petrol-powered 4WD Executive)

LDV D90 Colours 

The LDV D90 is available in a choice of four colours, including Metal Black, Ocean Blue, Metal Ash Silver and Warm White. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

Just how capable the D90 is on the road depends largely on which engine you’re opting for, with a stark difference in the driving quality of the entry-level petrol engine compared to the diesel flagship. 

Powering the base model is a perky 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit producing 165kW of power and 350Nm of torque, while the Executive offers buyers a 160kW/480Nm twin-turbocharged diesel unit. 

The entry-level feels a little bit underpowered, considering its hefty kerb weight of 2,130kg, and while the amount of power is adequate for normal driving situations, you often find yourself digging deep with the throttle to keep the pace up. 

While it might be down slightly on power, the twin-turbo diesel offers a significant boost in torque, which reduces the time taken while moving off the line, adds to the towing capacity, and makes the D90 feel like a much more attractive proposition for families. 

Power is put to the road via a six-speed automatic transmission for petrol models, while the diesel receives an eight-speed automatic; both of which behave themselves around town, but can struggle to find the right gear when pushed up a steep incline, for example. 

The D90 rides on a ladder-on-frame chassis that you’ll find in other SUVs that ride on a ute’s platform like the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport or Ford Everest. This translates to a soft, bouncy ride quality around town that is particularly forgiving on bumps, but can create some pretty hefty body roll when you’re pushing it in a corner, and makes the chassis feel a little unsettled on certain surfaces. 

In terms of pulling power, the LDV D90 range has a braked towing capacity rated up to 2,000kg for petrol variants, while the range-topping diesel can tow up to 3,100kg, which puts it right on par with its rivals. Gross vehicle mass in the LDV D90 is rated at 2,800kg, while the gross combination mass stands at 4,900kg. 

While it might not lead the class, the latest D90 has become a user-friendly and easy to drive around town thanks to its lightweight steering rack and extremely forgiving suspension and response to throttle inputs. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Perhaps the biggest feather in the D90’s cap is the amount of space and a generous equipment list inside the cabin. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger are accommodated by a spacious cockpit with some modern design details, with some faux wood swooping between black trim pieces and silver contrasts. 

There are some noticeably cheap interior trim pieces compared to its rivals, but overall, the fit and finish has come a long way from LDV’s first generation of vehicles, and there’s no major sacrifices here in terms of equipment, either. 

In terms of practical elements and storage options up front, there’s a two-piece folding armrest with storage inside, as well as storage behind the gear lever for smartphones and loose items, a pair of cup holders and a large set of door bins either side of the cabin. 

Moving to the second row of the cabin, passengers are treated to a comfortable bench seat with an impressive amount of both head and legroom for those behind the driver, meaning you’ll hear no complaints. The second row slides back and forth to give the third row more space, and feature three ISOFIX anchors for a trio of baby seats in the rear of the D90. 

The D90’s party piece is the sheer amount of space in the third row of the cabin, which means you’ll have only happy campers settling down for a long road trip or trip around town in the rearmost part of the cabin. Adults will, of course, struggle to get comfortable, but third rows are designed solely for kids in mind, who will be happy in the D90. 

In terms of boot space, the D90 offers a large 343L boot with the third row standing, which is an impressive figure in a seven-seat configuration, which expands to 1,350L with the third row folded down. 

Is it Safe? 

The LDV D90 has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, achieving an overall score of 35.05 out of 37. 

As standard, the D90 comes packaged with autonomous emergency braking, hill descent control, adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitoring, forward-collision warnings, blind-spot monitoring, a reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors and traffic sign recognition. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy is one area where the LDV D90 falls short of its competitors, with a combined fuel cycle rated at 10.2L per 100km for two-wheel drive base models, which increases to 10.9L per 100km in four-wheel drive models. 

Opt for the range-topping turbo-diesel variant and fuel economy drops to 9.1L per 100km, but as a whole, the D90 is a thirsty seven-seat SUV. 

Our Verdict: Is the LDV D90 Worth it?

The LDV has done a great job in designing a spacious, feature-packed seven-seat SUV that is more than capable of transporting you and your family in comfort. 

One problem with emerging brands to take note of, though, is that not enough time has passed to accurately measure and judge long-term ownership programs, resale value and customer support mechanisms. 

While LDV says this is a top priority, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re allured by the attractive price lists for cars like the D90. 

Having said that, though, on the face of it, the D90 has come leaps and bounds in terms of driving comfort and interior packaging while remaining one of the most competitive value for money propositions within the seven-seat SUV market. 

If you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/130,000km warranty 

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

3. 12-month/15,000km service intervals 

4. Petrol engine for base model, diesel for flagship 

5. Braked towing capacity from 2,000kg in base, up to 3,100kg for diesel 

Pros 

• Generous equipment lists 

• Family-friendly interior space and practicality 

• Diesel engine matches key towing figures of rivals 

Cons

• Cumbersome infotainment system 

• Concerning customer reviews of materials and build quality

• Bouncy, unsettled ride quality on certain surfaces  

OnlineAuto Rating: 6.5/10

LDV D90 Competition